The Eighties

_In 1980 we cleaned up our act - and protested dusty roads.• The first municipality-wide garbage contract was signed by La Pêche.• Residents blocked Eardley Road to protest excessive dust from tourist traffic. Calcium applications helped and then this part of the road was paved in 1989.• The Renaud General Store at Farrellton closed after more than half a century in business.• The Mashimo building burned throughout the night of June 14th causing serious traffic problems.• Sod was turned by Deputé Jocelyn Ouellette to start work on Masham ballfield.

In 1981 La Pêche had a strike on its hands. • The municipal workers’ strike lasted nine months while Cleo Fournier and councillors staffed offices.• The first collective agreement was signed by the municipality and its employees. • Peggy and Armand Larose of Masham lost 100-year-old house to fire, and are helped by neighbours and community fund-raisers.• Gendron covered bridge at Wakefield re-opened after major repairs with a dance and fireworks. • A Citizens Committee to save Gatineau Memorial Hospital from closure held dance and raised $17,000.• A child died under the wheels of a heavy truck in Masham schoolyard.

In 1982 our hospital was saved, we got seniors’ apartments, and new municipal offices. • The Gatineau Memorial Hospital remained open after residents of La Pêche waged fierce fight to save it. • Office Municipale de Habitation (OMH) provided 20 subsidized apartments for senior citizens of La Pêche, located at Masham.• Catholic Manse at Masham was purchased by municipality for its office headquarters.• Hervé Leblanc was elected Mayor of La Pêche.• Councillor Ray Daly quits after 19 years service to the Wakefield and La Pêche councils..• Farrellton’s Frank Farrell retired from post office duties at his store.

In 1983 we welcomed newcomers, paved a long road, and sold a mill.• Tax exemptions are offered to people coming to live in La Pêche..• Cleo Fournier Road was reconstructed and paved from Rte. 366 to East Aldfield.• The Men’s Club of Alcove-Rupert-Wakefield celebrated its 25th anniversary.• The Wakefield Mill and MacLaren House were sold to the NCC as a historic site noted for its scenic setting and natural waterfall. Later it was leased to the Historical Society of the Gatineau for a museum. Today it is under long-term lease to a developer for use as an inn and convention centre.

In 1984 there were fires, name wars, rabies, and more.• Gendron bridge was burned by arsonists and Transport Quebec puts a temporary Bailey bridge on the Gendron piers.• Residents fought to keep the Wakefield name on provincial road signs and in the phone book• La Pêche council approved a simultaneous translation system in the council chamber - a resolution promoted by Councillor Lorne Shouldice. .• Veterinary staff and locals were given rabies shots after Lac des Loups dog was found rabid.• Hôtel des Ruisseau at Lac des Loups was destroyed by fire. • Chemin St. Louis residents had their road paved.

In1985 we closed a strip club and said good-bye to a very old general store, a church hall, and a train.• Women’s groups from all corners of La Pêche got together and were successful in a court battle to close a strip club in Masham - an issue that is still debated today. • The F.J. Farrell General Store at Farrellton closed after 125 years of operation by four generations of the Farrell family. It was established by pioneer Patrick Farrell in 1860.• Farrellton Church Hall was levelled by fire.• Steam train 1201 made its final run to Wakefield.

In 1986 we got a new school, new libraries, a recreation centre and golf club.• LaPêche families gained the right to have free passes to NCC’s public beaches in the area..• A new high school called “Ecole Secondaire des Lacs” opened at Masham• Hervé Leblanc was re-elected in three-way fight for mayor’s job, and was victim to acts of vandalism..• Three LaPêche libraries -- at Masham, Lac des Loups, and Wakefield -- got grants to modernize their premises.• Veteran La Pêche councillor Doug Brown died at age 58.• Councillor Jean-Paul Racine retired after 15 years on Masham and La Pêche Councils.• A new recreation centre was built at Masham.• The new Edelweiss Golf Club was opened by the enterprising Andy Tommy family, founders of the adjacent ski resort and Edelweiss Village.

In 1987 our new nursing home was big news, and so were three La Pêche bridges.• “Centre d’Accueil” nursing home for seniors opened at Masham.• New Brown-Fournier bridge opened for traffic to cross the Gatineau River at Wakefield. • Volunteer committee was formed to construct a new Wakefield Covered Bridge on the old Gendron piers.• Bailey Bridge was removed from Gendron piers by Transport Quebec on December 3.• LaPêche acquired its own ambulance service.• Work was started on A-5 Wakefield by-pass.• Ex-mayor Cleo Fournier died at 56 years of age.• La Pêche Municipality created its first logo.• Neighbours helped the Gérard Morin family to re-build their burned out home.

In 1988 Vorlage burned - and low-income residents got housing.• Ski Vorlage chalet burned and was re-built within a year.• Six-unit subsidized housing for low income families was built at Lac des Loups under OMH program.

In 1989 we said good-bye to three veteran office workers - and hello to a new mayor. • La Pêche Secretary-Treasurer Ella Matte retired after 28 years’ loyal service to the municipalities of Masham and La Pêche.• Festival Country de Wakefield, organized by the family of Pauline and Marcel Diotte, began its three-day annual appearances in Wakefield village.• Gertrude Plunkett retired after 26 years’ service to the municipalities of Wakefield Township and La Pêche; and Fran Earle left after 23 years with municipalities of Wakefield Village and La Pêche.• Jean-Pierre Brunette won mayor’s seat.